BBSRC Skull Mechanics Project

An Finite Element analysis of strain in the skull of Sphenodon under comprehensive loading conditions (See Curtis et al. 2011).

A map of the cranial bone overlaps found in the skull of an adult Sphenodon (See Jones et al. 2011).

A rigid body
model of a Sphenodon head, neck and associated muscles. Note colour coding of muscle groups
differes from that found in published work (See Curtis et al. 2010).

Objective:

This project aims to improve
understanding of how skull architecture in reptiles is related to skull
mechanics, musculature, bone growth, feeding in evolution of major
amniote
groups. It involves using sophisticated computer models (with Multibody
Dynamics
analysis) based on data from computed tomography (CT) and anatomical
dissections
as well as analytical engineering software in order carry out Finite
Element
Analysis. The project has already led to a ground breaking method
for
representing muscle activity in computer modelling and provided insight
into the
role of cranial sutures in vertebrate skull
mechanics.

Curtis N et al. October 2010. "The role
and function for cranial sutures in reptiles: a finite element analysis
of the skull of Sphenodon (Diapsida: Lepidosauria:
Rhynchocephalia)" 70th meeting of the Society of Vertebrate
Paleontology, Pittsburgh,
USA (part of the special symposium "Making Connections: the evolution
and function of joints in vertebrates" hosted by Casey Holiday and
Mathew Vickaryous).

Jones MEH et al. June 2010. "Modelling muscle structure and activity in
vertebrate skulls: implications for the analysis of extinct taxa". IPC,
London, UK (part of the special symposium "Functional morphology at the
intersection between biology and engineering" hosted by Emily Rayfield,
Colin Palmer and Phil Anderson).

Fagan MJ et al. July 2010. "The importance of considering all active and
passive loading effects in functional studies of the skeletal system –a
combined multibody dynamics analysis and finite element analysis of a Sphenodon
skull". 8th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Punta del
Este, Uraguay.